When Mehdi Hasan sat down with Jon Stewart last month, the roles were reversed. This time, the Emmy-winning host of The Daily Show was the one asking the questions — about corporate media, Gaza, Do…
Because when you say, “Naomi Murakawa”, I say “who?” I’m very plugged into US politics and I have literally never heard that name before. They do not have the name recognition to win. Not trying to be a jerk here, in case my tone is misinterpreted.
I fall into thinking that our candidates need to be pre-famous, too. I’m not sure how true that is, though, as people can make a name for themselves as they campaign. I think it’s more important that they have some kind of a publicly available track record, like books, public positions, articles, or local government records. We’re all really burned by politicians talking out of the sides of their mouths and then doing shit when they get to Washington, or worse, completely selling us out. I also believe that those who have no faith in government need someone they know they can trust. I really thought Bernie had all the creds needed to succeed.
It’s emotionally hard to be in the place we’re in now as a country and to say, “I have no idea who could run for president,” but I do think that’s true and probably fine and normal. Simultaneously, I don’t trust the DNC to pull out a diamond. Actually, I know that they will do the opposite of that, and so I have a strong impulse to enthuse for an available candidate that runs contrary to the DNC’s typical pick. But most Washington insiders are pieces of shit, while political comedians are proven, smart, and engaged… but give me somebody else to get excited about and I’m ready, guys. I’ll do my part to get them elected.
Just wanted to say, I agree 100%. And to support your first point, I had not heard of Barack Obama until right before he ran, and I voted for him twice. There is hope (see what I did there?).
I agree that merit should be first and foremost. It’s just difficult to verify merit on an entity when that entity is an unknown. The concept is met with inherent skepticism. That said, I had not heard of Barack Obama until briefly before he ran, and I voted for him twice.
I think the issue is, people today vote emotionally, not necessary logically. That’s why at this current moment I would be more likely to vote for Jon Stewart. But if I were to learn more about Naomi Murakawa (and I will educate myself on them shortly, I promise) and I liked what I saw, then I would be more likely to vote for them than I am in this moment.
Because when you say, “Naomi Murakawa”, I say “who?” I’m very plugged into US politics and I have literally never heard that name before. They do not have the name recognition to win. Not trying to be a jerk here, in case my tone is misinterpreted.
I fall into thinking that our candidates need to be pre-famous, too. I’m not sure how true that is, though, as people can make a name for themselves as they campaign. I think it’s more important that they have some kind of a publicly available track record, like books, public positions, articles, or local government records. We’re all really burned by politicians talking out of the sides of their mouths and then doing shit when they get to Washington, or worse, completely selling us out. I also believe that those who have no faith in government need someone they know they can trust. I really thought Bernie had all the creds needed to succeed.
It’s emotionally hard to be in the place we’re in now as a country and to say, “I have no idea who could run for president,” but I do think that’s true and probably fine and normal. Simultaneously, I don’t trust the DNC to pull out a diamond. Actually, I know that they will do the opposite of that, and so I have a strong impulse to enthuse for an available candidate that runs contrary to the DNC’s typical pick. But most Washington insiders are pieces of shit, while political comedians are proven, smart, and engaged… but give me somebody else to get excited about and I’m ready, guys. I’ll do my part to get them elected.
Just wanted to say, I agree 100%. And to support your first point, I had not heard of Barack Obama until right before he ran, and I voted for him twice. There is hope (see what I did there?).
My comment was more of a commentary on electing based on merit than celebrity
I agree that merit should be first and foremost. It’s just difficult to verify merit on an entity when that entity is an unknown. The concept is met with inherent skepticism. That said, I had not heard of Barack Obama until briefly before he ran, and I voted for him twice.
I think the issue is, people today vote emotionally, not necessary logically. That’s why at this current moment I would be more likely to vote for Jon Stewart. But if I were to learn more about Naomi Murakawa (and I will educate myself on them shortly, I promise) and I liked what I saw, then I would be more likely to vote for them than I am in this moment.